Olive Oil Phenols

Olive oils contain numerous substances that have a beneficial role in human health. Phenols are natural compounds that are present in extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO), and they are produced at the malaxation step of the olive oil production. The four most abundant phenols in EVOO are oleocanthal, oleacein, ligstroside aglycon, and oleuropein aglycon. These phenols exhibit significant biological effects in many diseases, participating in various cellular and biochemical processes. Oleocanthal can protect and prevent against the Alzheimer disease, demonstrates acute antiplatelet effects, which has a vital role against cancer, and can act like ibuprofen. Oleacein has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities and helps against atherosclerosis. Moreover, it acts as an antiaging factor and as a 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor. Ligstroside aglycon implicates to mechanisms against breast cancer, while oleuropein aglycon shows activities against the Alzheimer disease and breast cancer

Σχεδίαση αθροιστή 16 ψηφίων με Διαφορική Λογική Καθρεπτών Ρεύματος και ανάλυση κλιμάκωσης της τεχνολογίας

Στην παρούσα πτυχιακή εργασία μελετάται η επίδραση της επιλογής της οικογένειας λογικής και της τεχνολογίας στις επιδόσεις του παραγόμενου ψηφιακού ολοκληρωμένου κυκλώματος, μέσω προσομοιώσεων λογισμικού. Αρχικά παρουσιάζονται οι απαιτούμενες ιδιότητες ενός τρανζίστορ και οι παράμετροι βελτιστοποίησης της λειτουργείας του. Έπειτα, εξετάζονται οι σύγχρονες οικογένειες λογικών πυλών σε συνάρτηση με τους κύριους σχεδιαστικούς περιορισμούς και παρουσιάζεται εκτενώς η Διαφορική Λογική Καθρεπτών Ρεύματος και οι ιδιαίτερες ιδιότητες της. Με βάση αυτά τα εργαλεία υλοποιούνται διάφορες πύλες προς επαλήθευση των θεωρητικών προσδοκώμενων αποτελεσμάτων. Η μελέτη κατευθύνεται προς τη σχεδίαση αριθμητικών μονάδων, και συγκεκριμένα αυτή ενός αθροιστή 16 ψηφίων πρόβλεψης κρατουμένου. Στην συνέχεια, γίνεται η ανάλυση κλιμάκωσης της τεχνολογίας στις προηγουμένως ανεπτυγμένες δομές και παρατίθενται τα αποτελέσματα των προσομοιώσεων. Τέλος, παρουσιάζονται τα συμπεράσματα σύγκρισης των οικογενειών λογικής και μεγεθών τεχνολογίας.This thesis examines the effect of choice of the logic family and the technology on the performance of the digital integrated circuit produced through software simulations. Initially, the required properties of a transistor and its optimization parameters are presented. Then, modern logic families are considered in conjunction with the main design constraints and the Differential Current Mirror Logic and its special properties are extensively presented. Based on these tools, various gates are being implemented to verify the theoretical expected results. The study is directed to the design of numerical units, namely that of a 16-digit carry look ahead adder. Subsequently, the scaling of technology is performed on the previously developed structures and the results of the simulations are presented. Finally, the conclusions of comparing families of logic and technology sizes are presented

A comparison of the phenolic profile and antioxidant activity of different Cichorium spinosum L. ecotypes

Wild greens are considered a rich source of phenolic compounds and antioxidants and an essential part of the so-called Mediterranean diet. In the present study, Cichorium spinosum L. ecotypes, cultivated or collected in situ from wild plants from the eastern Mediterranean, were evaluated regarding their phenolic composition and antioxidant activity. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed among the various studied ecotypes regarding their phenolic compound content and profile, especially between wild and cultivated ecotypes, as well as the phenolic acid content between commercial products and cultivated plants. The antioxidant activity also varied among the various studied ecotypes and growing conditions, with commercial products having the highest antioxidant activity, whereas wild ecotypes showed lower antioxidant activity. CONCLUSION: Cichorium spinosum leaves are a rich source of chicoric and 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid, while significant differences in total phenolic acids, flavonoids and phenolic compound content and in antioxidant activity were observed among the studied ecotypes, as well as between the tested growing conditions. According to the results of the present study, further valorization of C. spinosum species has great potential, since it could be used as a new alternative species in the food industry. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Cyber Insurance: recent advances, good practices & challenges

The aim of this ENISA report is to raise awareness for the most impact to market advances, by shortly identifying the most significant cyber insurance developments for the past four years – during 2012 to 2016 – and to capture the good practices and challenges during the early stages of the cyber insurance lifecycle, i.e. before an actual policy is signed, laying the ground for future work in the area

Σύγκριση και αξιολόγηση των αναλυτικών μεθόδων προσδιορισμού του καρδιολογικού φαρμάκου digoxin, στους αυτόματους ανοσολογικούς αναλυτές AxSYM και Architect.

Εισαγωγή: Η μελέτη, που ακολουθεί, έχει ως αντικείμενο τον ανοσοχημικό προσδιορισμό της διγοξίνης σε δείγματα ορού αίματος. Πιο συγκεκριμένα, γίνεται η σύγκριση των αποτελεσμάτων, που λαμβάνονται από τους αυτόματους ανοσολογικούς αναλυτές Architect i2000SR και AxSYM System της εταιρίας Abbott. Ως καρδιακή γλυκοσίδη με μεγάλη ισχύ, η διγοξίνη χορηγείται για τη θεραπεία της υπερκοιλιακής ταχυκαρδίας και τη χρόνιας καρδιακής ανεπάρκειας. Ο μηχανισμός της βασίζεται στη θετική ινότροπο δράση της, η οποία αναστέλλει την αντλία Na+/K+. Μέθοδοι: Δείγματα ορού (n=119) από νοσηλευόμενους ασθενείς σε θεραπεία με διγοξίνη μετρήθηκαν ποσοτικά, χρησιμοποιώντας τη μικροσωματιδιακή ανοσοχημειοφωταύγεια (Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassay, CMIA) του αναλυτή Architect και τη μέθοδο μικροσωματιδιακού ενζυμοανοσοπροσδιορισμού (Microparticle Enzyme Immunoassay, MEIA) του αναλυτή AxSYM. Η σύγκριση των δύο μεθόδων πραγματοποιήθηκε σύμφωνα με τις κατευθυντήριες οδηγίες του πρωτόκολλου αξιολόγησης (Evaluation Protocol) EP9-A2 του CLSI, με βάση την ανάλυση γραμμικής παλινδρόμησης κατά Passing – Bablok και του διαγράμματος διαφορών κατά Bland – Altman. Αποτελέσματα: Η εξίσωση γραμμικής παλινδρόμησης του y (αναλυτής Architect) ως προς τον x (αναλυτής AxSYM), η οποία υπολογίσθηκε σύμφωνα με την ανάλυση κατά Passing – Bablok, δείχνει καλή συσχέτιση μεταξύ των δύο μεθόδων. Από το διάγραμμα διαφορών κατά Bland – Altman προκύπτει, ότι το bias της μεθόδου CMIA του Architect από την ΜΕΙΑ του AxSYM είναι πολύ χαμηλό, άρα οι δύο μέθοδοι είναι σε καλή συμφωνία μεταξύ τους. Η μέθοδος CMIA (Architect) έδωσε ψευδώς πολύ υψηλές τιμές διγοξίνης στα δείγματα του ασθενούς με τοξικό δακτυλιδισμό, στον οποίο χορηγήθηκαν αντισώματα DigiFab. Αντιθέτως, η μέθοδος MEIA (AxSYM) προσδιόρισε μόνο τη διγοξίνη τη μη δεσμευμένη από τα DigiFab. Συμπεράσματα: Η μέθοδος προσδιορισμού της διγοξίνης CMIA στον αναλυτή Architect i2000SR είναι σε πολύ καλή συμφωνία με τη μέθοδο MEIA του αναλυτή AxSYM, έχοντας μάλιστα σε ορισμένες περιπτώσεις μικρότερη διασταυρούμενη δραστικότητα από αυτήν. Η μέθοδος όμως ΜΕΙΑ στον αναλυτή AxSYM υπερτερεί στην περίπτωση του τοξικού δακτυλιτισμού.Introduction: The aim of this study was the determination of digoxin in serum, using immunoassays on the Architect i2000SR (Abbott) and AxSYM System (Abbott) automatic immunological analyzers. Digoxin is a potent cardiac glycoside prescribed for the treatment of supraventricular tachycardias and congestive heart failure. Its mechanism of action is based on its positive inotropic effect, which inhibits the sodium-potassium pump Na+/K+ - ATPase. Methods: The present study included serum samples from digoxin taking hospital patients (n=119). For the quantitative measurement of digoxin we used the Architect Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassay (CMIA) and the AxSYM Microparticle Enzyme Immunoassay (MEIA). The method comparison was performed according to the guidelines of evaluation protocol EP9-A2 of CLSI based on Passing – Bablok linear regression analysis and Bland – Altman analysis of differences. Results: The linear regression equation with the calculated values for y (Architect analyzer) and x (AxSYM analyzer) shows a good correlation between the two methods according to Passing and Bablok analysis. The estimated bias from the difference plot (Bland – Altman) between Architect and AxSYM method is low (-0.13), which means that the two methods are in agreement with each other. CMIA method gave very elevated measurements of digoxin from the samples of the patient, who was under treatment with DigiFab. MEIA method, on the contrary, measured only the digoxin that was not bound to the DigiFab antibodies. Conclusions: CMIA digoxin assay on the Architect i2000SR analyzer is in good agreement with MEIA digoxin assay on the AxSYM analyzer. More specifically, CMIA method demonstrates lower cross – reactivity than MEIA. MEIA method proved to be more suitable than the CMIA method for quantitating digoxin in serum from patients on antibody fragment therapy

Effect of processing on phenolic composition of olive oil products and olive mill by-products and possibilities for enhancement of sustainable processes

The bio-functional properties of olive oil products and by-products rely greatly on the proportions and types of the endogenous phenolics that may favorably/unfavorably change during various processing conditions. The olive oil industrial activities typically produce (i) olive oils, the main/marketable products, and (ii) olive mill by-products. The mechanical processing of olive oil extraction is making progress in some areas. However, the challenges inherent in the existing system, taking into consideration, the susceptibilities of phenolics and their biosynthetic variations during processing, hamper efforts to ascertain an ideal approach. The proposed innovative means, such as inclusion of emerging technologies in extraction system, show potential for sustainable development of olive oil processing. Another crucial factor, together with the technological advancements of olive oil extraction, is the valorization of olive mill by-products that are presently underused while having great potential for extended/high-value applications. A sustainable re-utilization of these valuable by-products helps contribute to (i) food and nutrition security and (ii) economic and environmental sustainability. This review discusses typical processing factors responsible for the fate of endogenous phenolics in olive oil products/by-products and provides an overview of the possibilities for the sustainable processing to (i) produce phenolic-rich olive oil and (ii) optimally valorize the by-products.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Fatty Acids Derived from Royal Jelly Are Modulators of Estrogen Receptor Functions

Royal jelly (RJ) excreted by honeybees and used as a nutritional and medicinal agent has estrogen-like effects, yet the compounds mediating these effects remain unidentified. The possible effects of three RJ fatty acids (FAs) (10-hydroxy-2-decenoic-10H2DA, 3,10-dihydroxydecanoic-3,10DDA, sebacic acid-SA) on estrogen signaling was investigated in various cellular systems. In MCF-7 cells, FAs, in absence of estradiol (E2), modulated the estrogen receptor (ER) recruitment to the pS2 promoter and pS2 mRNA levels via only ERβ but not ERα, while in presence of E2 FAs modulated both ERβ and ERα. Moreover, in presence of FAs, the E2-induced recruitment of the EAB1 co-activator peptide to ERα is masked and the E2-induced estrogen response element (ERE)-mediated transactivation is inhibited. In HeLa cells, in absence of E2, FAs inhibited the ERE-mediated transactivation by ERβ but not ERα, while in presence of E2, FAs inhibited ERE-activity by both ERβ and ERα. Molecular modeling revealed favorable binding of FAs to ERα at the co-activator-binding site, while binding assays showed that FAs did not bind to the ligand-binding pocket of ERα or ERβ. In KS483 osteoblasts, FAs, like E2, induced mineralization via an ER-dependent way. Our data propose a possible molecular mechanism for the estrogenic activities of RJ's components which, although structurally entirely different from E2, mediate estrogen signaling, at least in part, by modulating the recruitment of ERα, ERβ and co-activators to target genes

Antifungal activity of selected Malassezia indolic compounds detected in culture

Background: Malassezia yeasts produce bioactive indolic substances when grown on L‐tryptophan agar. A panel of these substances was tested against commensal and opportunistic fungi, the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was determined and the potential for in loco antifungal activity on the skin was assessed. Materials and Methods: Eight indoles were included (malassezin, pityriacitrin, indirubin, indolo[3,2‐b]carbazole, 6‐formylindolo[3,2‐b]carbazole, tryptanthrin, 6‐hydroxymethylindolo[3,2‐b]carbazole and 6‐methylindolo[3,2‐b]carbazole) and were tested against 40 fungal strains [yeasts: Malassezia spp.(N = 9); Cryptococcus spp.(N = 10); Candida spp.(N = 7); Yarrowia lipolytica(N = 1); Exophialla dermatitidis (N = 2); moulds: Aspergillus spp.(N = 7); Fusarium spp.(N = 2); Rhizopus oryzae(N = 2)]. The concentration of 5/8 of the tested indoles on diseased skin was calculated from published data. Kruskal‐Wallis and Mann‐Whitney U tests were employed for group susceptibility evaluation in 33 strains. Results: The MIC range was 0.125‐32 μg/mL, and the median log2MIC was four. Indirubin was the most potent antifungal agent and differed significantly from the others. The highest median MIC was found for FICZ. Malassezia with Candida strains were more susceptible compared to Cryptococcus and Aspergillus, and this inhibitory activity was predicted to be valid also on human skin. Conclusions: Malassezia yeasts produce indolic species that inhibit an array of clinically significant yeasts and moulds

Bioactive compounds and antibacterial activities in crystallized honey liquefied with ultrasound

The effect of ultrasound on the crystal size, phenols, flavonoids, Maillard products and antibacterial activity of crystallized honeys was studied. Three multifloral honeys (M), one monofloral (MO) and one honeydew (HD) honey were used. Ultrasound was performed at 42 kHz for different times (0, 5, 10 and 15 min). The antibacterial activities were tested against Salmonella typhimurium, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Listeria mono cytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. In all honeys, the parameters analyzed had significant dif ferences ((P < 0.05)). After 15 min of ultrasound the HD had increments of 44 mg of gallic acid/100 g of honey in phenols, and some M showed increase in flavonoids (5.64 mg of quercitin /100 g of honey) and improvement in inhibition against Salmonella typhimurium was 13.1%. In some honeys the correlation between phenols or fla vonoids and antibacterial activity were significant ((P < 0.05)). No correlation was found between Maillard products and antibacterial activity. The ultrasound treatment effect on the crystal size, phenols, flavonoid, Maillard products, and antibacterial activity of crystallized honeys were different in each honey.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio